Did you know that the Versoix river has 4.7 stars on Google? Thanks to TaxiAlpes Suisse who gave it 5 stars, or Laurence, who describes the Versoix as 'a beautiful place for a kayak descent'. On a more serious note, the Versoix, also known as the Divonne on the French side, is one of 𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗲𝘂𝗿𝘀 between Lake Geneva and the Jura. But that wasn't always the case!
Historically, the Versoix has been 𝘁𝗿𝗲̀𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗶𝘁𝗲́𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿 𝗹'𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 ; In 1809, there were 50 mill wheels, around ten major energy sites and three diversion canals (structures used to reduce the flood flow of a watercourse). By the 19th century, the Versoix was already showing symptoms of 𝗱𝗲́𝘀𝗲́𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲. In the 20th century, this deterioration continued, particularly in the 1960s when gravel was extracted for the construction of the motorway between Geneva and Lausanne. This extraction resulted in 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝟭𝟰𝟬𝗵𝗮 𝗱𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀, a biotope that is now increasingly rare and extremely valuable for biodiversity worldwide.
Fortunately, since then, the Versoix has been the subject of several 𝗱'𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗲𝘁 𝗱𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 projects. In 2005, for example, the Versoix urban crossing was renatured. This not only restored the link between the lake and the upper reaches of the river, but also provided better protection against flooding for local residents. This work has had a significant impact on 𝗮𝗺𝗲́𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗲́ 𝗹𝗮 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲́ 𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘀 the Versoix. Today, this river forms a 𝗲́𝗹𝗲́𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗲𝘂𝗿 of the 𝗿𝗲́𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘂 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗱𝗲 𝗹𝗮 𝗿𝗲́𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻, and accompanies a wide variety of natural environments. Upstream, it flows through a bocage region; it then flows through a forest massif, passing through alluvial and marshy areas recognised as being of national importance. Biologists and walkers are delighted to be able to identify newts, frogs and toads, buzzards, black kites, woodpeckers and a plethora of other species of amphibians, reptiles and birds. You may even come across the rare and discreet kingfisher and diving duck. Of course, there are also all kinds of insects, crustaceans and fish, as well as mammals. Wild boar, roe deer and red deer are frequently seen, and the beaver population, back since 1974, is now established downstream.
There's even a 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 to discover the richness of the alluvial zone ... a trail that's easy to walk and easily accessible by public transport. It's up to you!
Information taken from : Le TempsChristina Meissner, ge.ch
Photo Credit: JP Moll
